Levy Was Killed, DC Examiner Says
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2002 -- Chandra Levy was killed but the cause of death is unknown, the Washington medical examiner concluded today, as police officially labeled the probe a murder investigation.
"The cause of death has been certified as undetermined," Dr. Jonathan Arden said. "The manner of death has been certified as homicide."
Arden said his conclusions were based on the circumstances of Levy's disappearance and the location and condition of her body when it was discovered last Wednesday in a remote, heavily wooded area of Washington's Rock Creek Park.
He said the condition of the remains did not allow investigators to determine how the former federal intern died, or whether the 24-year-old died in the park.
"There is no such evidence that can be derived from the skeleton," he said.
Arden said there were no further tests being conducted on Levy's remains. He said the condition of the remains was consistent with the time of Levy's disappearance a little more than a year ago.
No Suspects
Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey said the department's violent crimes branch was now leading the investigation.
"The death investigation is a murder investigation," he said.
Ramsey said police were not ready to label anyone a suspect in the case.
"Right now we have a lot of people we want to interview or maybe want to re-interview," he said.
Police today expected to finish examining the area of Rock Creek Park where Levy's remains were found, along with some jogging clothes and a Walkman-type radio.
Some of the physical evidence from the crime scene will be analyzed by the FBI.
Ramsey admitted there were many unanswered questions in the case, including whether Levy was sexually assaulted before her death. The Associated Press, quoting a police source, said investigators were trying to determine whether Levy's stretch leggings were used to tie her up. Ramsey today refused to comment on that report.
Memorial Service Draws 1,000
As the investigation continued in Washington, Levy's family and friends bid a final farewell at a memorial service in her hometown of Modesto, Calif.
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